Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;carrotcake&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Carrotcake’, characterized by its upright plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; relatively short dark green-colored leaves; strong and relatively long flowering stems; freely flowering habit with typically at least two racemes per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; and greyed orange-colored flowers with darker greyed orange-colored venation and red purple-colored labellum.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘CARROTCAKE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, known bythe breeder's reference 391135 and hereinafter referred to by the name‘Carrotcake’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objectiveof the breeding program is to develop new rapid growing and freelyflowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and unique andattractive flower patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination in 2005in Heemskerk, The Netherlands of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Sin Yaun GoldenBeauty’, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with Phalaenopsishybrida ‘Taisuco Date’, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent.The new Phalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by the Inventoras a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the statedcross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment inHeemskerk, The Netherlands in 2013.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristempropagation in a controlled environment in Heemskerk, The Netherlandssince July, 2013 has shown that the unique features of this newPhalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Carrotcake’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Carrotcake’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Relatively short dark green-colored leaves.    -   4. Strong and relatively long flowering stems.    -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically at least two racemes        per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.    -   6. Greyed orange-colored flowers with darker greyed        orange-colored venation and red purple-colored labellum.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the femaleparent, ‘Sin Yaun Golden Beauty’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differprimarily from plants of ‘Sin Yaun Golden Beauty’ in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are lighter green in        color than leaves of plants of ‘Sin Yaun Golden Beauty’.    -   2. Flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are greyed orange        in color whereas flowers of plants of ‘Sin Yaun Golden Beauty’        are yellow in color.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the maleparent, ‘Taisuco Date’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Taisuco Date’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are more rounded in        shape than and not as square as flowers of plants of ‘Taisuco        Date’.    -   2. Flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis have no spots        whereas flowers of plants of ‘Taisuco Date’ have many spots.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsishybrida ‘Surf Song’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plantsof the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Surf Song’ inflower size as flowers of the new Phalaenopsis are larger than flowersof plants of ‘Surf Song’. In addition, leaves of plants of the newPhalaenopsis are more elongated than leaves of plants of ‘Surf Song’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of atypical flowering plant of ‘Carrotcake’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the top of second sheet is a close-up view of atypical flower of ‘Carrotcake’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the late summer in 10-cmcontainers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk, The Netherlandsand under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsisproduction. During the production of the plants, day temperatures rangedfrom 20° C. to 22° C. and night temperatures averaged 18° C. and lightlevels ranged from 5 klux to 10 klux. Plants were three years old whenthe photographs and description were taken. In the followingdescription, color references are made to The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Carrotcake’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Sin Yaun Golden            Beauty’, not patented.        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Taisuco Date’, not            patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About two weeks            at temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and            winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28° C. to            30° C.        -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous; typically light yellowish            white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate            temperature and age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright            plant habit with typically at least two racemes per plant,            each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;            moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit and moderate            growth rate.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About            13.8 cm.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of            inflorescences.—About 57 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 32 cm.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about            six per plant.        -   Length.—About 24 cm.        -   Width.—About 6.9 cm.        -   Aspect.—Mostly horizontal to slightly arching.        -   Shape.—Narrowly oblong to oblanceolate; moderately carinate.        -   Apex.—Acute, unequal.        -   Base.—Sheathing.        -   Margin.—Entire; slightly revolute.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            moderately glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to between            NN137A and 147A. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to            146A, strongly tinged with between N186C and 200A. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A; venation,            close to NN137A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close            to 146A; towards the margins, tinged with close to 147A;            venation, close to 144A.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers            arranged on axillary simple or branched racemes; typically            at least two racemes per plant; each inflorescence with            about nine open flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching            inflorescences supported by upright peduncles; flowers with            three petals, two lateral petals and one center petal            transformed into a labellum and three sepals.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about two months            after flower bud initiation.        -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers            maintain good substance for about four to six months on the            plant; flowers not persistent.        -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence            apex).—About 19.2 cm.        -   Inflorescence width.—About 12.3 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Height: About 1.8 cm. Diameter: About 1.2 cm.            Shape: Ovate. Color: Close to N144A; tinged towards the apex            with close to 175A.        -   Flower diameter.—About 7.9 cm by 8.6 cm.        -   Flower depth.—About 3 cm.        -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals            and one center petal transformed into a labellum.        -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 4 cm. Width: About 4.3 cm.            Shape: Reniform; slightly concave. Apex: Rounded. Margin:            Entire. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous,            velvety; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth,            glabrous, velvety; slightly glossy. Color: When opening,            upper surface: Close to 164C; fading towards the margins and            apex to close to 154B; fine venation, close to 168A and            168B. When opening, lower surface: Close to 162A and 163C;            central band, close to 154C; fading towards the margins and            apex to close to 154B to 154C; fine venation, close to 164A.            Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 163C; fading towards            the apex to close to 154D; at the attachment point with the            column, close to 186C to 186D; fine venation, close to 166B            to 166C; color does not fade with development. Fully opened,            lower surface: Close to 160A to 160B; fading towards the            margins to close to 161B; fine venation, close to 164A and            164B; color does not fade with development.        -   Labellum.—Appearance: Tri-lobed with two lateral lobes and a            central lobe. Length, lateral lobe: About 1.6 cm. Width,            lateral lobes: About 8 mm. Length, central lobe: About            3.3 cm. Width, central lobe: About 1.4 cm. Shape, lateral            lobes: Obovate. Shape, central lobe: Ovate to deltoid. Apex,            lateral lobes: Obtuse. Apex, central lobe: Cleft with two            moderately long recurved cirrose tips, about 9 mm in length            and about 1.1 cm in width. Margins, lateral lobes: Entire.            Margins, central lobe: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and            lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte.            Callosities: Located at the base of the labellum and            attachment point of the lateral petals; about 4 mm in            length, about 4 mm in width and about 3 mm in height. Color:            When opening, upper surface: Lateral lobes: Close to 42B and            55B; fading towards the base to close to 4C; fine stripes            and dots, close to 185A. Central lobe: Close to 179A; fading            towards the apex to close to 185A; cirrose apices, close to            12B. Callosities: Close to 12C to 12D; fine dots, close to            185A. When opening, lower surface: Lateral lobes: Close to            180C and 180D; fading towards the margins and apex to close            to 185A; towards the base, close to 2D. Central lobe: Close            to 161C; fading towards the margins to close to N170B and            N170C and at the edge, close to 171A; fading towards the            apex to close to 4D; cirrose apices, close to 12C. Fully            opened, upper surface: Lateral lobes: Close to between 72C            to 72D and 180A; fading towards the base to close to 4D to            lighter than 4D; fine stripes and dots, close to 187C.            Central lobe: Close to 180A; fading towards the apex to            close to 72C; cirrose apices, close to 179B. Callosities:            Close to 17B to 17C; fine dots, close to 185A. Fully opened,            lower surface: Lateral lobes: Close to 72D; fading towards            the margins and apex to close to 179A and 179B; towards the            base, close to 156D. Central lobe: Close to 77C; fading            towards the margins to close to between N170B and 172A and            at the edge, close to 4D; fading towards the base to close            to 76B; cirrose apices, close to 77C.        -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, two lower lateral            sepals and one upper dorsal sepal. Length, lateral sepal:            About 4.1 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About 2.7 cm. Length,            dorsal sepal: About 4 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About 3.1 cm.            Shape, lateral sepals: Ovate. Shape, dorsal sepal: Obovate            to broadly elliptic. Apex, lateral and dorsal sepals:            Obtuse. Base, lateral and dorsal sepals: Truncate. Margin,            lateral and dorsal sepals: Entire. Texture and luster,            lateral and dorsal sepals, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous, velvety; matte. Color: When opening, upper            surface: Lateral sepals: Close to 163C; fading towards the            base, margins and apex to close to 154B; fine venation,            close to N170A. Dorsal sepals: Close to 164C; fading towards            the margins and apex to close to 154B; fine venation, close            to N170A. When opening, lower surface: Lateral sepals: Close            to between 153D and 154C; slightly fading towards the            margins and apex to close to N170B. Dorsal sepals: Close to            162A and 163C; central band, close to 154C; fading towards            the margins and apex to close to 154B to 154C; fine venation            at the margins, close to 164A. Fully opened, upper surface:            Lateral sepals: Close to 160A; fading towards the base,            margins and apex to close to 154B; at the attachment point            with the column, close to 186C to 186D; fine venation, close            to 172A and 172B; color does not fade with development.            Dorsal sepals: Close to 164C; fading towards the margins and            apex to close to 154B; at the base, close to 186C to 186D;            fine venation, close to 172A; color does not fade with            development. Fully opened, lower surface: Lateral sepals:            Close to between 153D and 154C; slightly veined at the            margins and apex, close to N170A to N170B; color does not            fade with development. Dorsal sepals: Close to 162A and            163C; central band, close to 154C; fading towards the            margins and apex to close to 154B to 154C; fine venation at            the margins, close to 164A; color does not fade with            development.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 54.6 cm. Diameter: About 5.5 mm.            Strength: Very strong. Aspect: Upright to about 30° from            vertical. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte.            Color: Close to 148A with fine dots, close to 144B.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 4 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.            Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 45° from peduncle            axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:            Close to 145A; distally, fading to close to 150D.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 1 cm.            Column width: About 6 mm. Column color: Upper surface, close            to 75B; lower surface, close to N75A. Pollinia quantity:            Two. Pollinia diameter (per two pollinia): About 2.5 mm.            Pollinia color: Close to 23B. Gynoecium: Stigma length:            About 3 mm. Stigma width: About 3 mm. Stigma shape:            Reniform. Stigma color: Close to NN155B. Ovary length: About            1.2 cm. Ovary diameter: About 1 mm. Ovary color: Close to            lighter than 150D. Seeds and fruits: To date, seed and fruit            development have not been observed on plants of the new            Phalaenopsis.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis    have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been    observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 10° C. to about    40° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zone 10.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Carrotcake’ as illustrated and described.